Justification????

This past weekend was our towns big Fall Parade and everyone was out. I didnt go out of my way to look ravishing.. I just naturally glow these days. Everyone who hadnt seen me in a while was shocked at the change in me and everyone had something to say. Even though I know that the WLS is just a tool and most certainly not the easy way out. For some crazy reason when people were telling me how great I was doing, it was difficult to take the compliment. It was hard because it wasnt totally me doing the work. This was the very first time I had felt this emotion . I felt like I didnt deserve the same credit as someone who had starved and exercised themselves down 137 pounds. Where did this come from. In my heart I know the sacrifices and changes I have made in my life. I know I swim my little fins off and make the right choices with my foods. Why couldnt I just stand there and say Thank You... Its been the best thing I ever did for myself. Because that is how I truly feel. But there was just some nagging self doubt hovering over me with so much attention coming at me. Has anyone else ever felt this way?? Love and hugs, Laura

I can't say that I am completely comfortable with all of the comments that I get either, but I don't think that we didn't go through just as much as someone who starved it off either. There is no easy way out for anyone needing to lose weight, rather it be surgery or dieting. Just smile and go on about your business when people compliment you. Sometimes when I am working in my office, people will stop at the door, stare in and not say a word. Makes me feel like an animal in the zoo! You deserve all of the credit that you get. Take it and keep glowing!

Laura, Do you think that we always had to justify why we were overweight to ourselves and others that it is a throw back to that? I am totally up front with people on how I lost my weight. I also tell them that this is NOT the easy way out. I truly think it is harder for me now that before surgery. I lost 70 pounds prior to surgery cutting back and eating the foods that I knew I could eat after my surgery. Now that I have had the surgery nothing could have prepared me for it! I am so limited on what my little grouch likes that I would rather not eat than to upset it. I am eating 1-2 meals aday and the only thing that I can eat is turkey and white cheese.....everything literally makes me sick! Before I could eat fish...now it makes me dump! They are baffled at UH...I am the first patient that has dumped on fish.....I am now so afraid to eat anything new because it might make me sick. How may people don't recognize you now? Do they walk right passed you and not say a word? To me that is a compliment! I usually try to say "thanks" and leave it like that but when they say....oh you took the easy way out.....then I lose it! Anyway congratulations on your great loss! You have been an inspiration to me! I use to look at your old picture and wonder why you were so mad...but your new picture is great! Keep on losing! Sue 320/251 pre-op/l65 now! Only 35 more to go!

Laura, You worked as hard as anyone. You think rearranging your anatomy is easy? Ask that same question to anyone who even implies that you took "the easy way" out. What I hear from your post is something akin to "I still don't measure up." Of course you do! Remember when we were kids and Looney Tunes would have the little cartoon "devil on your shoulder?" Well, he's the one who keeps trying to tell you you don't deserve the credit for what YOU have done. Think about it. YOU decided you needed some help. YOU did the research. YOU picked up the phone and called the doctor. YOU made and kept all the appointments along with everything else you were doing in your life. YOU went through the testing. YOU went through what it takes to get insurance approval. YOU agreed to a surgery date. YOU worried. YOU sweated it out. (Ok, *perspired* ) YOUR body was violated, even if it was with your permission. YOU suffered the pain both pre-and post-op, whether it was physical or mental. YOU did the follow-up. YOU kept the appointments. YOU followed the diet regimen. YOU drank the water. YOU exercised. YOU lost weight. The surgery didn't lose weight. YOU did. Now, I don't know about you, but for me, just reading that list alone tuckers me plum out. It's a way of thinking. Don't let anyone steal your joy. Don't let them steal your pride. Glow with the confidence of achievement! Take care~ Laura

Please DOn't feel like you have to justify anything. When I first had the surgery I use to tell EVERYONE about my SAVING GRACE SURGERY. But when I got mixed responses...and the feeling that people thought I had taken the easy way out.....(the NERVE of some people ). I began to tell pepople who asked how I lost my weight...that I was on a High Protein and Low Carb diet ( of which I AM...lol). Sometimes people don't need all of the information so that they can judge us UNFAIRLY. And Yes we know who those people are. FIrst they are some of our own family members, some of our friends and yes even strangers who only know you as someone they see out and about occasionally. These people want the scoop on what you are doing. for whatever reason....(small town gossip, secret remedy for weight loss..etc) THe only people you have to tell are.... those who you know will support your decision and love you through the good and bad days. I know that some people just want to be nosey... and I don't EVER want ot feel guilty for a choice that I made to SAVE my life and you shouldn't either. God didn't make us all alike....He only made some of us smarter than others....in the fact that we decided to make a change for the better...lol. Just kidding. Seriously many who judge us unfairly do so out of ignorance...lack of knowledge about the surgeryand the sacrifices we have all made to get to this point. I also think the guilt or whatever you want to call it is something that I know I have had to deal with my entire Obese life. Not feeling like I DESERVE to have anything go my way...and if it did...having others treat me like it was gotten illegally immorally or unfairly. And that is just not true. We ALL deserve to be able to live a healthier life. You especially. Sorry its a book...lol just feel pretty strong about your RIGHT to feel good about your weight loss. Cindy in Sarahsville. 287/153/135